Boiler water feed device



Nov. 26, 1946.

T. PlNlON BOILER WATER FEED DEVICE 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed April 11 A TTORNE Y.

Nv. 26,l 1946. T. N. PlNloN y 2,411,589

BOILER WATER FEED DEVICE ATTORNEY.

- Nov. 26, 1946.

T. N. PINION BOILER WATER FEED DEVICE 5 sheets-sheet s Filed April ll, 1944 n Rn@ 0 .m wp. VN mw ATTORNEY.

Nox?. 26, y1946. T. N. PiNloN l. 2,411,589

l BOILER WATER FEED DEVICE i NOV. 26, 1946. I 'T vN, P|N|ON 2,411,589

BOILER WATER FEED DEVICE Filed April 11, 1944 5 sheets-sheet s' 3 4/ 47 47 l!!! f@ if v 49 F74 la /4 l z3 77 sa 34 a0 35 a4 INVEN TOR.

' arranged v for Y* the automatic boiler below a predetermined plane.

Patented Nov. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE n I if 111,589

`BOILER WATER FEED DEVICEI i `Thomas N.,I inon, Denver, Colo. Application'Aprilll, 1944, Serial No.4530,512

' A 11j claims. (01.'122-456) This invention relates to Vboiler Water feed-de# vices adaptedV to supplywater [to and duringthe operation of boilers employedfor thefgeneration of steam, and `more particularly tisluchdevices maintenance of "a given level of Water Within the vassociated boiler, and has an improved boiler Water feed devi ce",a1 ,1 torlliti-k cally operable to maintain a predeterminedlevel of Water within its associated boiler:vr through .the agency of the boiler steam pressure assisted solely by a Water supply pressure materially less than the boiler pressure.

A further object of the invention isto. provide an improved boiler Water feed device including improved meansY for balancing, internal yboiler pressure against a supply of feedwater sothat the latter may flowby gravity. toseek and establish its levelw'ithin the boiler.

A further object of theinvention` is4 to-provide an improved operative combinationof heatresponsive means in actuatingrelationtvithiconf trol valve elements to 'position said'elements for steam iloW and pressure control Withinand through a water feed device in response tewater level changes within an associated boiler.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved heat-responsive. steam-actuated-means for repetitiously charging 'ajfeedfwater reservoirl sup-ply and emptying said,`

from a feed Water charged reservoir into anVA associated l boiler against the internal boiler pressure in response to ak lowering Vof the Water level Within said A further object of the invention is toprovide an improved combination with a heat-responsive, steam-actuated boiler Water feed device of aux-A iliary heat-responsive, steam-actuated means operable to-continue thefunctioning lof the device upon, and to Warn of, failure in the normal as a primary object to provide'anjj'm? provedunitary device of the character described susceptible `of fully automatic and con tinu'ousI operation of the principal control means of the assembly.

With the above principal, and other more detailed, objects in View, my inventionv consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of my claims, and illustrated by theaccompanying elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in drawings, in Which- Figure l is a cross section taken vertically and axially through a conventionalized embodiment rof myimproved device with the control elements for flow of feed Water" toY an Figure?! is arview similar t'o thereof positioned associated boiler.

. Figure 1 illustrating the relative positions of the control elements in their vcyclic operativepha'se next subsequent to that exemplified in 'said-'Figure l. Figure 3 isv a View" similar to Figure 2 illustrating the relative'positions assumed by the control elements in that phase of their operative cyclesubsequent to the showing of Figure 2. *Fig-V ure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustratingthe relative positions of the rcontrol elements in the final phase of their operative cycle aridi just prior to their return to the positions shovv'nV in `Figure 1. 4Figure 5-is a, fragmentaryQdetail section axially through they compound valve fassembly in the relationship of Yelements sliovvnin elevation in Figure l. Figure 6 isa fragmentary detail section through and illustrating an alternative operative position of elements Within control means actuatable by the auxiliary heat'-v responsive means associatedvfith the device.-

` Figure 7 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlargedfscale, taken on the indicated line 1 1' o-f Figure 2. Figure 8 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, illustrating more in detail the operative relationship of relativelyi connectionsbeing omitted for the sake 'of clarity".V

movable elements of the compound valve assembly'as shown in Figure 4. Figure 9 vis a plan view, partly insection and on a reduced scale, ofA the assembled device as viewed from the plane indicated by the line tftA of Figure 3, certain ligure 10 is an elevation of the improved device as associated @and `operatively related with a conventionalbciler .for practical usaY f In the construction` of kthe improvement as shown, the numeral, lll designates a preferably l' fcylindricalhousing defining and enclosing a relativelylarge chamber or reservoir adapted {tore-' ceive and accumulate charge of boiler feed water. The housing l is closed to communication with the atmosphere exceptashereinafter specifically provided, Vis adapted for disposition with itsv axis substantially vertical and in such denite altitudinal relation with the desired water level of the boiler to be served thereby as is hereinafter set io and is constructed to accommodate and istand the operating p-res sures of the boiler with which it is associated. The top and bottom closures of the housing I5 are preferably substantially plane, parallel, and perpendicular to the housing axis, and said closures are intersected by a straight, tubular, valve barrel I I coaxial with said housing and extending through and equally at each end beyond said closures. The outer ends of the barrel Il are closed by suitable cap elements i2 through each of which a branch i3 from a steam line lll communicates to include the opposite end portions of the barrel Ii in a flow circuit common to both. A second steam line I5 is suitably sealed through the top closure of the housing It communicates through a wall of the barrel li at a point midway between. the top and bottom housing closures, and communication between the barrel interior and the reservoir deiined by the housing IEB is provided by a plurality oi ports ie intersecting the barrel wall just beneath the housing top closure and by a similar series of ports Il intersecting the barrel wall just above the housing bottom closure.

The barrel Il serves as a mounting and slide bearing ior a pair of double-spool valves i8 closely tted for axial reciprocation therein. The valves I8 are identical in construction and are disposed in opposition within the'barrel II. Each of the valves i8 is a unitary, cylindrical member oi considerable length formed with an enlarged, annular head i9 at each of its ends for close-tting, slidable engagement with the barrel walls, and with an annular rib 20 intermediate the heads i9 for like sealing reciprocation within the barrel, the heads I9 and ribs 2i! preferably being provided with suitable packing or sealing rings 2| to minimizeleakage of pressures -or fluids between said elements and the adjacent barrel walls. The body portions of the valves I8 between their rib 2i! and heads i9 are reduced in diameter to provide annular chambers deiined between the valve body, rib 2i), re spective' head I9 and corresponding portion of the barrel walls, Opposed inner heads of the valves I8 are provided with axially-projecting studs or bosses 22 adapted to engage when the valves are moved inwardly of the barrel towards each other and arrest such valve travel with a space separating the adjacent inner valve heads.

A steam line 23 opens through the wall of the upper extension of the barrel lI just above the top closure of the housing ID and connects with the steam dome IIlI of the boiler Iilll to be served in such manner as to deliver steam at boiler pressure to said upper barrel extension, and a Water line 24 opens through the wall of the lower barrel extension just below the bottom housing closure and connects with the boiler le@ to be served at some convenient point below the normal water level therein. The valves I8 control the admission of steam to and the escape of feed water from the reservoir defined by the housing I and to that end the lengths of said valves and the positions of the ribs 2i! therealong are so adjusted as to provide that, whenA the valves are at the inner limit of their range of travel with their studs 22 engaged, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the said ribs 2li will -be positioned inwardly of the barrel from and in uncovering relation with their respective ports I and I'I while the outer heads I9 of said valves will be disposed above outwardly oi the barrel from and in uncovering relation with the ends of the respective lines 23 and 24, so that steam from the line enter the annular chamber about the outer body portion of the upper valve I8 between the outer head I9 and rib 2!) thereof and thence escape through the ports I5 into the upper portion oi the housing I0, while water accumulated within said housing may pass through the ports I'I, into the annular chamber about the outer portion of the lower valve I8 between the outer'head I9 and rib 20 thereof and thence through the pipe 24 to the boiler; while, when said valves I8 are at the outer limit of their range of travel, at their position of maximum separation with their outer heads I9 engaging the caps i2 of the barrel II, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ribs 20 of said valves engage the barrel walls in obstructing relation between their respective flow lines and ports and thereby inhibit inflow of steam to and outflow of water from the housing interior.

Positioning of the Valves I8 at either eXtreme of their range of travel is automatically controlled through means and agencies hereinafter described which act to alternatively admit steam to mid or end portions of the barrel II through the line I5 or `line and branches I4, I3, it being obvious that when steam is admitted through the line I5 to the space between the inner heads I9 of the valves I8, the line I4 and its branches I3 being open to exhaust, the said valves i8 act as pistons Within the barrel II and are moved apart to the outer limit of their range of travel, while when steam from the line I4 is admitted through the branches I3 simultaneously to the outer end portions of the barrel II, the line I5 being open to exhaust, the said valves again function as pistons and are moved inwardly of the barrel to the inner limit of their range oi travel with their studs 22 engaged. To insure proper positioning of the valves I8 at the inner limit of their range of travel and to prevent possible overtravel oi one of said valves, it may be desirable to provide a suitable stop, such as an inward projection of the line I5 within the barrel, beyond which neither valve may pass.

Control of the admission of to the interior of the housing I0 and automatic positioning of the valves I8 is largely the function of a multiple, compound, thermostaticallyactuated valve assembly operatively housedin a tubular slide chamber 25 disposed in spaced, axially-parallel ,relation with the barrel Il in or as an enlargement of one side of the housing I5.

boiler feed water The lower end of the slide chamber 25 is closed by a plug, or similar element, 25 having an inner surface substantially coplanar with that of the housing bottom closure, and the upper portion of said chamber 25 projects through and above the housing top closure, wherethrough it is suitably sealed, and has its upper end suitably closed by means of e, cap 21. Communication between the interior of the housing IE) and the bore of the slide chamber 25 is provided at two points, one or a series of ports 28 opening through the wall of said chamber dividing it from the housing reservoir just below the housing top closure and one or a series of ports 29 opening through said chamber wall in somewhat spaced relation the housing bottom closure. A stud or post 3i! is fixed centrally'of and rises axially from the inner, upper surface oi the plug 2e extends upwardlywithin the lower portion of the chamber 25 to a point somewhat above the port or ports 2.9, and Vsaid post 30 serves as a base 23 mayl the plug '26 to open into the annular space bey tween-the post 36 and wall of the chamber25 at the lower end of the latter, and said pipes 32 operatively connect `at their lower ends, as through a common tting 33, with a water supply line 34, leading to said tting 33 from a suitable source of boiler feed water (not shown) so that water for boiler feed may be fed through the line 34, fitting 33 and pipes 32 to and within Y the lower end of the chamber 25 and thence through the port or ports 2S to the reservoir de' lined by the housing lil. The improved boiler water feed apparatus is not of pump or suction type,V hence it is essential for successful operation of the apparatus thatthe boiler feed'water befed'to and through the supply line 34 under such degree of pressure as willserve t0 insurey flow within the housingli against normal atmos-y pheric pressure, and since rmany agencies, such elevated tanks, pumps, air pressure systems, and public Water supply systems, `are commonly available and have been heretofore generally used for the same and analogous purposes, no showing or description of means for the supply of water under pressure to and through the line 34 is deemed necessary herein, Similarly, While the improvedV apparatus will operate tofeed water delivered thereto as a iiuidv atfany .temperature below theVaporizing point, it has long been commonpractice to preheatboiler feed water and many agencies and devices are available and in commonuse Afor such purpose, hence, since the practicability oftheimproved device is enhanced by preheating 0f the boiler feed water, it will be assumed that the supply thereof fed to and through the line 34 is at a. temperature raised above the normal range;

As is usual practice, the supply line 34 is provided with a check-valve 36 at some distance from its connection with the fitting 33, so as to inhibit reverse iiow Yof water within said line,v and flow of water through said line 34 to the chamber 25 and housing lf3 isl automatically controlled by a pressure-responsive valve 36 in said line between the tting 33 and checkfvalve,35.V The valve 36 may be of any speciiictype and construction'suitabletoy its purpose-and mode of actuation, and is conventionally illustrated ascomprising a fitting v wherein a plug 3l'is slidable radially and inwardly to obstruct flow through the iitting and radially and outwardly to permit flow through said fitting, theouter end of said plug 3'! entering avvpressure chamber 38 divided by a diaphragm i353 and centrally engaging said dia'- phragm, which is normally urged, by means ofv a spring 43, into uniiexed dividing relation with the chamber'38 and consequent How-permitting relation of the plug 3l within its fitting. The porbetween .the

magnitude present .in the upper end of said slide chamber may, by transmission through the open flow line 4|, act within the chamber 38 to flex the diaphragm 39 and" move the plug 31 into flowobstructing relation with its fitting, and thus close 'the valve 36 against flow through the line 31';'escape or relief of the so-acting pressures at the chamber 25 operating to correspondingly relieve the pressure within the chamber 38 for consequent return of the plug 31 to flow-permitting position.v Since, under certain operating conditions of the improved apparatus, water retained in the line 34, iitting 33, pipes 32 and lower portion of the chamber 25 may adversely affect actuation of control elements of the apparatus when the valve 36 is closed, means is provided for automatically returning a portion of such retained water to the flow line 34 behind the check-Valve 35, at times; such means comprising a water flow line 42 connecting at one end with the supply line 34 behind the check-valve 35 and at its other end with said supply line between the fitting 33 and valve 36, thus vhwy-'passing the valves 35 and 36, anda `pressure-responsive valve 43 controlling communication between the lines 34 and 42 where the latter meets the former between the valve 36 and tting 33. The valve 43 ymay conveniently befof the same type and general construction as Ihe, valve 36, and is/so shown, the diaphragmactuating` pressure chamber portion of the valve 43 being connected by means of a branch or eX- tension 4l with the flow line 4 I, but the valve 43 differs in operative character from the valve 36 in that the flow-controlling plug-31 of the former is arranged to obstruct iiow between the lines 42 and 34 when there is no fluid pressure in the flow line Hand to open for flow communication between saidlines 42 and 34 when there is pres'- control, presence or absence of pressure in the vline 4|, the valve 43- is open when the valve 36 is closed and the valve 43 is closed when the valve 36 is open, there hence being no water iiow in either direction through the by-pass yline 42 when the line 34Y is opento supply'feed water to the chamber 275 and housing,` lll. y

The portion of the slide chamber 25 above the theimostatic element 3i slidably accommodates and is substantially iilled by an integral, multiplespool type, cylindrical valve unit 44 closely fitted within `the bore of said chamber and disposed for limited axial reciprocatio-n therein. A plurality of legs 45 are fixed to and depend in circumferentially-spaced relation from the lower end of the valve unit144 and walls ofthe chamber 25 and the element 3l,l preferably in somewhat spaced relation inwardly from thechamber walls, and xedly engage attheir lower ends with an annular plate 46 slidably engaging about the post 30 and substantially filling the space between said post and the tion of the pressure chamber 38 on the side of l the plug 3'! is connected byA means ofV a iiowline 4|, throughthe cap 2l, with the interior of the upper end'of the slide chamber 25, so that fluid pressures of suflic'ient the diaphragm opposite adjacent wallsof the chamber 25 atthe lower end of the latter. The plate 46 is adapted to engage with its plane lower surface against the upper face of the plug 26 and per, otherwise open ends of the'pipes 32, at times, and the thickness of theplate46, length of thelegs 45; and length of the valve unit 44, are so proportioned as t'oposition the lower end of said valve unit inspaced relation above the upper end of the contractedv therinostatic element 3| and the upper end of said valve unit in spaced relation below the lower surface of the cap 21, when saidwplate 46 engages the upper surface of the plug'i; as'isshown in Figures 1 and' 2, and't'o freely traverse the space close overthe vupposition the lower surface of said plate 46 vabove the upper margin of the port or ports 29 when the upper end of the valve unit 44 is in engagement with the lower surface of the cap 21, as is own in Figures 3 and 4, said two positions of the valve unit 4 and its attached elements being the two operative positions and reciprocative limits of the unit.

The valve unit fifi is divided by means of four exterior annular grooves or Zones of reduced diameter into ve spaced sections of full diameter adapted to closely fit within and slidably engage the walls oi the slide chamber 25, said sections being respectively designated from bottom to top of the valve unit by the reference numerals 44a, Mb, 40, @ed and iQ-e, and the Zones of reduced diameter, each of which defines an annular compartment between the chamber walls, valve unit surface, and adjacent valve unit sections, are respectively designated by the indicia A, B, C and The zones of reduced diameter may be uniform in depth radially o the valve unit 44, but they are not uniform in length axially of said valve unit, `and the valve unit sections set off thereby are not necessarily uniform in dimension axially of the valve unit, the relative size and relationship of said zones and sections being determined by considerations of operative position and relationship, as will hereinafter appear. To enhance engagement of the valve unit sections against the walls of the chamber 25 in a manner to minimize leakage of fluid pressures therebetween, the peripheries of said sections may each be provided with one or more compression or sealing rings, as is common practice.

The wall portion of the slide chamber Z5 extending above the housing top closure is intersected at five altitudinally-spaced points by flow lines which open through the chamber walls for communication with the chamber bore, said now L lines being, in their altitudinal order from the top of the slide chamber downward, a steam supply line e? arranged, through valve fittings and connections hereinafter to be described, to supply steam at boiler pressure from the steam dome I0 lv at a point somewhat below the upper end of the valve unit lid when the latter is at the lowermost limit of its range of reciprocation; one end of the steam line i4, which opens into the chamber at a point somewhat below the connection with the line 4l; an exhaust line 48 intersecting the chamber wall at a point below the connection with the steam. line i4; the end of the steam line iii exterior to the housing Iii, which line opens into the chamber at a point below that of communication with the exhaust line 48; and a branch steam supply line i9 leading from the supply line il to open into the chamber just above the housing top closure and at a point below the connection with the line l5. These connections and their altitudinal relationships determine in large measure the relationships and dimensions axially of the valve unit 44 of the valve Unit sections Ma, Mib, 44o, 44d and 44e and ofthe compartments A, B, C and D. The valve unit section 44o constitutes the lower end portion of the valve unit 44 and is limited in upward extent by the zone of reduced diameter forming the compartment A which separates said first section from the second section 4Gb in such me Y1er as to position the latter across and in complete obstructing relation with the port or ports 23; said section 44h having an axial length sufficient when the valve unit 44 and attached elements is at the lower limit of its range of travel, as shown inFigures l and 2, to fully cover and close said porter ports. The Vvalve unit section tric is spaced from the section 44b by the zone of reduced diameter forming the compartment E in such manner as to position the section 4c as a baiiie between the opening ends of the lines i5 and 48, so that theV line 49 opens below the section Mc intothe compartment B, which is otherwise closed, and the line l5 opens above the section to and into the lower portion of the compartment C, according to the showing of Figures 'l and 2. The axial length of the zone of reduced diameter forming the compartment C is such as to position the valve unit section 44d as a baffle between the opening ends of the steam line I4 the exhaust line t8, so that said latter line opens into the upper end of the compartment C below the section 54d and the line I4 opens into the lower portion of the compartment D above said section, again referring to the position of the elements shown in Figures 1 and 2, and communication is thus established between the line I5 and exhaust line 58, through the compartment C. The end none of reduced diameter forming the compartment D is of such axial length as to position the upper end valve unit section 44e just above the opening end of the steam supply line el and as a battle closing away the compartment D from communication with the space in the slide chamber bore between said section 44e and the chamber cap 2i, so that the lines 41 and I4 both open into the compartment D when the valve unit is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and thus provide a continuous passage for steam from said line il through the compartment D and into the line i4. Thus, with the elements of the valve unit et in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plate 4e is closed over and against the upper ends of the pipes 32j the port or ports 28 is closed by the section 44h; inflow of steam through the branch il@ is arrested and conined in the compartment B by the sections 44h and 44e; communication .for flow from the line I'5 to the line tl is established through the compartment C; and communication for inflow of steam from the line 4i to the line i4 is established through the compartment D."

Referring now to the connections and relationships established by the valve unit 44 and its associated and attached elements when said body is moved, by means and agencies operating in a manner hereinafter to be described, to the upper limit of its range of reciprocation and to the position sho-wn in Figure 3, it will be seen that the relative size, disposition and relationship of the valve unit elements and attachments hereinabove set forth is such as to position the plate 46 above and in unobstructing relation with the port or ports 2Q; todispose the compartment A in registration with the DO'rt or ports 28 and n COmmunication, through the latter, with the interior of the housing I5; to position the section 44h below the opening end of the line I5, so that a passage for iniiow of steam from the line 49 to the line l5 is provided through the compartment B; to dispose the compartment C in simultaneous communication with the opening ends of the lines I4 and 48, so that a passage to exhaust is opened from the line i4 to the line 48 through said compartment C; and to dispose the section 44d as a baffle between the opening ends of the lines I4 and thereby inhibiting delivery of steam from the line 41 to the line i4 and limiting such steam delivery from said line 41 to the compartment D whereinto said line 41 opens.

l thermostatic element 3 l beneath and beyondthe e unit section 44a when the shoulders 5l and 52e i f -v y 9,2 Ane other connection withv chamber2'5 l paratus, and such connectiontakes the form of a water line 5i! adapted to'deliver `watenunder suitable pressureland atltemperatures at or below normal, from any suitable source and through any suitable means and agencies,fto the lower portion ofthe slide chamber boreaboveand adjacent kthe the upper' end of the retracted the discharge end of said line 50 opening through the slide chamber wall just above the lower end of the Valve unit section 44a when the valve unit 44 is at the lower limit of its range .of reciprocation, asshown in Figures 1 and 2,"and in position tobecovered and obstructed by` said' section' Ma when the plate 46 is seated-against the plug 2t, which arrangement locates the discharge endV of said ine 5t to be uncovered and free for delivery of water to the slide chamber bore when the valve unit 44 the-bore of the slide v v is important to "operationof the ap- "ment 52 is at theiupper limit` of its range of l ravel, as'determined by engagement of theeleinent head`53against the lower end of the valve unit 44, the shoulders 5| and 52e are separated unit rand in position to communicate through valve unit bore when the element 52is'at ythe lower limit of its range ofv travel, such retracis moved tothe otherlimit' of its range vof reciprocation, as shown in Figures Brand 4,

The valve unit i4 is longitudinallyv traversed by an axial bore which opens through vboth endsv of said' body and includes portions of lesser vand greater diameters providing a shoulder 5lv where they meet. The bore portion ofglesserdiameter traverses the lower portionandopens through the lower-'end of the unit 44" and the bore portion of greater diameter traverses the upper portion and opens through the upper end of saidy valve unit, and the `shoulder 5| is disposed in approximately theplane ofthe upper margin of the valveunit section 44e. The bore just above described houses andslidably'mounts for limited axial reciprocation a two-diameter, cylin-' drical valve element 52, whereof the portions of different diameter Iit closely and slidably withinA the bore portions of corresponding size. The portion of the valve element 52 of greater diameter is designated 52a andis adapted to slidably telescope within the upper, greater-diameter portion of the bore within the valve unit 44 and be thus positioned interiorly of and for limited axial reciprocation relativeto the portions of the valve unit forming thel compartments C and D, while the valve element portion of lesser diameter is designated 52h 'and is shown as adapted to slidably engage within and throughthe lower, lesser-diameter portion ofl the valve unit bore for limited axial reciprocation relative fto and interiorly of the valve junit portions formingthe end section 44d and the compartments A and' B. The shoulder 52e" formed at the junction ofthe valve element portions 52a and 52h is adapted to engage at times againstfthe shoulder 5l of the valve unit 44 and limitV relative ltravel of the element 52 downwardly of said valve unit, and the length of such as to provide an extension vof said valve element portion, terminating in ahead or exe' terior annular flange5 axially of and outwardly lower end of the valve are engaged and the element `52` is at the lower limit of its range of travel relative to the valve unit. The valve element head 53 is adapted to engage at times against the-lower end of the valve unit 44 and thereby limit upward travel ofthe element 52 relative to said-valve unit, and

f the length of the element portion 52a is such as to bring its upper end into Acoplanar relation with the upperl end vof the valve unit 44 when ,o 7 placement determined by said element 52 is at the upper limit of its range of travel within said valve unit. When the eletion'serving to open andk uncover ports 55, intersecting the kvalve unit walls just beneath the valve I.unit section 44e, to establish communication between the compartment D and the open upper en'd ofthe valve unit bore; it being obvious thatthe ports 55 are closed by the element portion 52a whenv the element 52 is at the upper limit of its range of r,reciproc'ation within the valve unit.

- The valve'element 52` is formed with upper and lower axial bore sections 55 and 5l, respectively, separated bymeans of a baille 58 obstructing said bore sections somewhat -below the element shoulder'52c. 'Ihe upper bore section 56 extends upwardly from the baille 58 to open through the upper end of the element 52 and the lower bore section 5l? extends downwardly from said baffle 5B to the head :5 3 closing the lower end -of said element-52. Ports 59 intersect the walls of the Valve element portion 52a just above the baiiie 58, softhat communication may be had there# through between vthe lower end of the upper bore section 55 and the compartment -E when vthe element 52 is at the upper limit of its range oi.E reciprocation within the `valveunit 44, and similar ports 60 intersect theV walls of the element portion 52h just below the baiile communication between the upper end .of the lower bore section '51and the compartment E when the element 52 is positioned as above stated, the baffle 58 being hence so located in the element 52 as to lie above the shoulder 5l and thus permit vuncovering of theports A(il) when the element 52 is in the relative position shown in Figures 2 and 3. Suitable ports 6i open through the lower end of the lower element portion 52h just above the head 53 and in position to be uncovered when the element 52 is at the lower limit of its range of reciprocation relative to the valve unit 4,4,Aand other ports or Iapertures 62 intersect intermediate portions-of the walls of `said element portion '52h Yin vposition to register withports 63 in the valve unit walls between the valve unit sec part-ment A when the element 5 2 is at the upper:

limit of itsrange of relative recip'rocation;r

The'lower end ofthe valve element 52k bears against and 'is secured 'in yanysuitable manner to the upper end of the thermostatic element 3l; thereby mounting said element 52 for axial djsexpansion and retraction ofthe said element 3 I l The elements' thus far described, in the operative relationships vset forth, constitute a fully automatic device operable to feed water to an opportsl54, opening v'through 4the walls of the valve position the 53 to establishA 11 IDD for maintenance ofithe water level in said boiler. The device, constructed and assembled as Ishown and described, is mounted in xed position, with the axes of the barrel II and slide chamber 25 vertical, adjacent the boiler IUD to be served thereby and is so disposed altitudinally as to bring a horizontal plane intersecting the port or ports 29, indicated by the broken line L-L in Figure 1, into coincidence with the water level to be maintained in the boiler; the lines 23 and 41 are suitably connected with the steam dome IGI or other steam Isupply at the boiler; the line 24 is operatively connected with a supply of boiler feed water (preferably heated) under pressure, and the line 5D is connected with a pressure supply of unheated water; and so mounted and connected the device is ready for automatic operation.

Assuming as an initial condition that the reservoir deiined by the housing i is substantially filled with feed water and that unheated water supplied through the line 52 has cooled and consequently contracted the thermostatic element 3i to permit positioning of the valve unit 44 and element 52 at the lower limit of their range of reciprocation, as shown in Figure l. With the various elements positioned as shown in the iigure last noted, steam at boiler pressure i's supplied through the line 4'! to compartment D whence it is free to pass through the now uncovered ports 55 and open upper end of the valve unit bore into the upper end or" the slide chamber 25 and through the line 4I to the valve-actuating pressure cham bers 38 where such pressure actuates the diaphragrns 39 to close the valve 35 and open the valve 43, thus closing the line 34 and opening the by-pass 42, while the pressure thus developed within the upper end of the slide chamber acts against the upper ends of the valve unit 44 and valve element 52 to seat and hold said members at the lower limit of their range of reciprocation with the plate 45 closing over the upper ends of the pipes 32, the port or ports 25 open and unobstructed, the valve unit section 44h in closing relation with the po-rt or ports 28, the ports 54, 59, 5E] Vand 52 closed, and the ports 5I exposed and opening into the slide chamber bore beneath the valve unit 44; now through the line 5i) being cut ofi by the valve unit lower section 44a. Since the line I4 and its branches I3 is now in cornmunication with compartment D, steam from said compartment may and does iiow through said line and branches to the opposite ends of the barrel II, where the pressure of the steam acts to hold the spool valves I8 at the inner limit of their range of travel, with their studs 22 in end engagement, and in position to establish a path for steam ow from the line 23 through the ports i5 to the interior of the housing I9 above the level of the feed water therein, and a path of water flow outwardly from the housing through the ports I1 and line 24, any pressure-induced tendency of the valves I8 to separate being obviated by the cornmunication between the line I5 and exhaust line 48 established through compartment Cl Since the pressure on the water within the boiler Iil and on the reed water within the housing Ii) is now balanced, the feed water in the housing I0, standing at a higher level than the water in the boiler, is free to flow into the boiler through the line 24 until the levels coincide.

When, due to transfer of feed water from the housing I5 to the boiler, the feed water level in the housing drops sufciently to uncover a portion of the port or ports 29, steam from the houserating boiler passage and resistance ing enters the lower portion of the slide chamber 25 through the uncovered portion of said port or ports and acts, because of its high temperature, to expand the thermostatic element 3| with consequent upward travel of the upper end of said element and the valve element 52 associated therewith. As the valve element 52 starts its upward travel within the Valve unit 44, `the shoulders 5I and 52o 'separate to develop the compartment E and the ports 59 and 69 are uncovered and placed in communication with said compartment, thus establishing a vent passage from the lower end of the slide chamber 25, through ports 5I, bore 5l, ports 6D, compartment E, ports 54, and compartment C, to exhaust line 48, so 'that any resistance to the flow of steam from the housing lil intothe lower end of the Islide chamber is fully obviated; and at the same time an eX- haust passage is established from the upper end of the slide chamber 25 through the ybore 56, ports 59, compartment E, ports 54, and compartment C, to exhaust line 48, so that steam pressure previously obtaining in the upper end of said Islide chamber may be relieved through such exhaust to upward travel of the valve unit 44 and element 52 minimized. Continuing expansion of the element 3! operates to move the element 52 upwardly within the valve unit 44 until the upper limit of such relative reciprocation is reached and the elements are in the relationship shown in Figure 2 with the upper end of the element 52 coplanar with the upper end of the valve unit 44 and the head 53 engaged against the lower end of the valve unit section 44a, in which position the ports 55 are closed to prevent further admission of steam from the compartment D to the upper end of the slide chamber, the exhaust passage from the upper end of the slide chamber to the exhaust line 4B remains open for kescape of pressure iro-m the slide chamber upper end and line 4I communieating therewith, for consequent opening of valve 35 and closing of valve 43 and resulting reestablishment of Iwater ow through the supply line 34, and ports SI are obstructed to close the vent passage therethrough and thus add the pressure eiect of steam within the lower end of the slide chamber to the forces tending to move the valve unit 44 upwardly within the slide chamber. Further expansion of the element 3I, aided by the pressure of the steam within the lower portion of the slide chamber and the pressure oi water inflowing through the line 34 against the lower surface of the plate 46, operates to shift the valve unit 44 upwardly oi the slide chamber 25 and to the upper limit of its range of travel while maintaining the element 52 at the upper limit of its relative reciprocation within said unit, and to the relationship of elements shown in Figure 3. During travel of ,the valve unit 44 upwardly within the slide chamber 25, the valve element 52 is held in closing relation with the ports 55 and with its ports 55 opening to the compartment E, so that the Vent passage from the upper end of the slide chamber to and through the exhaust line 4c remains open for relief of pressure in the said upper end of the slide chamber and in the line 4I, thus maintaining the valve36 open and thev valve 43 closed for inflowof water to the lower end of the slide chamber through the line 34. With the valve unit 44 at the upper limit of its range oi travel, the compartment D is positioned to receive steam discharged from the line 41, whichoutlet from said the steam, because of-lack of any compartment, is trapped and held therein;

' in the ends of the compartment C isy placed in communication with.

the lines I4 and and` shift said valvesto their respective outer ends of the barrel i Lowhere they are pressure-held in 14 tion with the'upper ends ofthe pipes 32; and the elements of the deviceare returned to the rela' Y tionships shown in Figure l, readylfor automatic position to obstructpcommunication between the lines 23 and, 24 and the interior of the housing i5; the Compartment A is placed in registration with the port or ports 23, so that pressures obtaining` withinthe housing i may be relieved through the exhaust passagethus established through. said port or ports 28, compartment A, registering ports 62 andf63, bore 51, ports 66, compartment E, ports 54, compartment C, and exhaust line 48; the valve unit end section 44a is. lifted o-ut of covering rrelation with the discharge end of the line 56, thus permitting inflow of unheated water to the slide chamber portion surrounding the thermostatic elementl 3 i; andthe plate 46 is positioned above the port or ports 29 to permit free inflow of feed water from/the line-34, through the pipes 32 and lport or ports 29 to the interior of the housing Il). y v

With the elements of the device positionedl as shown in Figure 3, feed vwater delivered through the line 34 rises and accumulates within the reser- Voir delined bythe housing l ii, there being now no steam or entrapped air pressure within said housing to impede the inflow of water, while iniiow of unheated water through the line B to the rspace about the element 3l operates to cool and contract said element with consequent downward travel of the associated valve element52 relative to the valve unit 44, the latter lbeing held at the upper limit of .its range of travel during this phase of operation by pressure of the incoming feed water against the under surface of the plate 46.

Initial contraction of the element 3l` draws the attached'valve element 52 downwardly within the valve unit 44 until the shoulders 5l and 52c engage, and to the relationship of elements shown in Figure 4, in which position the ports 59 and 60 are obstructed and closed, thus closing the exhaust passage from the upperend of the slide permit steam flow from compartment D, fedv by line 41, into the upper end of the slide chamber and line 4l opening thereinto, the vpressure thus developed within line 4l operating 'to close valve 36 for interruption of feed water now through line 34 and opening valve 43 controlling the bypass 42.

As the element v3l continues downward pull thus exerted on the valve element 52 acts through the engaged shoulders Si and 52e to move the valve unit 44 downwardly against the pressure of the feed water below the plate 46, and the pressure of steam now present inthe upper end of the slide chamber and acting against the upper ends of the Ysaid unit 4.4 and valve element 52 assists downward and'element to the extent necessary to fully overcome any water resistance developed against the plate 45 and to force any feed water entrapped within the lower end ofthe slide chamber beneath said plate back through the pipes 32, fitting .33, valve 43 and by-pass 42, until said plate 46 is again seated against the plug 25 in closing relat-o contract, the

f compartment in communication repetition of ktheir operative cycle.

vIt isrecognized that thereprobably will be some leakage of steam'pressures along the walls, of the barrell l l .and slidechamber 25 past the wall-engaging elements of the valves i3 and valve unit 44,V but itis to be noted that such leakage will ybe; infevery position of the valve elements, froma high pressure zone toa region', area or withthe exhaust line 48, vso that such leakage can in :noinstance be productive ofv operation-nullifying adverse or back pressures.r I

As will `be apparent .from the foregoing, the den vice thus far described is susceptible of normal, fully-automatic operation throughl a repetitive cycle to feed Water to an operatingl boiler for maintenance of a determined water level therein. However, as a safe-guard against possible abnormalities, 'such as operative' failure or rupture of the thermostatic elementr 3i, auxiliary means is pi'ovidedto warn` of .the'abnormal condition and to continue supply. of feed water, .though at a slowerrrate, to. the boiler served by the device.

v.The auxiliary means is illustrated as. including a by-pass liiow line 64'in closely-spaced, parallel relation with and below the bottom'closure of the vhousing l and opening at one end through said bottom closure and into the interior of said housing; the other end of the line 64 opening upwardly within the lower end of a. vertically-l disposed, straight tube 65 of material having a relatively-high coefficient of thermal expansion.

The tube 65 is xed at its lower end to the closed lower `end of, and is housed in spaced, axiallycoincident relation within, an imperforate standpipe 66 which connects at its upper end with and is closed by a valve fitting 6'! through which the steam line- 41 serving the upper 'end of theslide. chamber 25 communicates. The fitting 61 defines an interior chamber F spaced somewhat above the upper end ofthe stand-pipe 66, and said chamber is formed with opposed, conical,

valve seats 68 and 69 in its upper and lower walls,y

- respectively, and in axial coincidence with the chamber 25, and the ports are uncovered tov projected axis of thetube 65. rThe supply portion of the steam line 41 opens into the chamber F through the valve seat 68, and the extension of said line 41 connects between any suitable point of the chamber sidewall and the interior-of the slide chamber 25 in the relation with the latterr previously described. A double-acting valve plug lo is housed within the chamber F and is formed with upper and lower, conical end portions adapted to selectively and respectively seat and close against the valve seats 68 and 69, the plug 'i0 being of a length less than the spacing between travel of the saidk unit 65. is contracted to its length said seats,v so that when the yplug is closed against one of the seats, the passage communicating thro-ugh the other seat is open. When the tubeA at normal temperatures, the upper end of said tube is spaced below the upper end of the stand-pipe 66 and adjacent portion of the fitting 61 such a distance as willv ,allow for f linear expansion of said tube when heated to the temperature of the boiler steam without engagement of the tube endagainst the fitting. The lower wall ofthe fitting 61 is intersected by a straight, two-diameter bore in axial alinement with the tube65 and valve plug 10, the greaterf diameter portion of said bore opening through the valve seat 69 and the lesservdiameter portion of said bore opening into-the upper-1 endv of the stand-pipe 65, and a stem 1I is slidably mounted in and for axial reciprocationv relative to said bore in rigidly-connecting relation between the valve plug 15 and upper end of the tube 65, the length of said stem 1i being such as will serve to seat the lower end of said plug firmly against and in closing relation with the valve seat B9, and thereby open a passage through the valve seat 68 and compartment F through which steam may flow between the sections of the line 41, when the tube E5 is contracted toits length at normal temperaturesand seat the upper end of the valve plug firmly against and in closing-relation with the valve seat 68, thereby obstructing iniiow of steam from the supply section of the line 41 to the compartment F while opening communication through the valve seat 59 between said compartment and the bore portion of greater diameter, when the tube 65 is extended in response to the effect thereon of higher temperatures. The bore portion of greater diameter beneath the valve seat 69 is operatively connected by means of a branch line 12 with the eX- haust line 48, and a suitable flow line 13 connects said bore portion with a steam whistle 14, or like signal or signal-actuating device, so that warning of the presence of steam under pressure in the bore portion of greater diameter may be automatically given.

The auxiliary means illustrated and above described is designed to function when the level of. feed water within the housing Ii! falls, because of any operative failure or mal-functioning of the device, below the minimum level determined by the location of the by-pass flow line 64, During normal operation of the device, the feed water level in the housing IQ will rarely, if ever, drop below the line L-L of Figure l, regardless of the water level in the boiler, since as soon as any portion of the port or ports 29 is uncovered, steam from the interior of the housing will enter the lower portion of the slide chamber, expand the element SI, and promptly initiate inflow of water to the housing from the line 34. However, should the element 9| fail to respond to the steam temperature, the movable valve elements of the device will remain in the relationships shown in Figure l, wherein the tube 65 is contracted to hold the valve plug 19 in closing relation against the seat 59, until the outflow of feed water from the housing through the line 24 under the balancing pressure of steam inflowing to said housing through the line 23 lowers the feed water level in the housing to such a degree as will permit the steam in said housing to back the water trapped in the by-pass line 54 into the tube 65 and thence, through ports 15 opening through and adjacent the ends of said tube, into the stand-pipe 55, thus opening a passage through which the steam may enter said tube and stand-pipe. When subjected to the higher temperature of the steam, the tube `55 extends upwardly, lifting the plug from the seat 59 and closing said plug against the seat 68, thus cutting off supply of steam through the line 41 to compartment F and opening'an exhaust passage through said compartment, valve seat 69, branch line 12 and exhaust line 48, wherethrough pressures obtaining in compartment D, the upper end of slide chamber 25, line 4I, and line I4 with its branches I3, may be relieved. Drop ofpressure in line 4I results in opening of valve 36 and closing of valve 43 with consequent Vinflow of feed water through the line 34 against the under surface of .plate 45.

An exhaust passage being now open, as above described, between compartment D and exhaust line 45, steam pressures previously obtaining in the upper end of the slide chamber 25 and line and branches I4, i3 are relieved and the inflow of feed water against the under surface of plate 45 acts to lift said plate, together with the associated valve unit 44 and element 52 upwardly within the slide chamber 25 and to the relative position of said unit and element shown in Figure 4, any resistance to upward travel of the valve unit 44 being obviated by the passage open from the upper end of the slide chamber 25 through ports 55, compartment D, fitting 51, and branch line 12 to the exhaust line 48. With the valve unit 44 elevated to and held in the position shown in Figure 4 by the pressure of the inflowing feed water against the plate 46, compartment B of said unit is placed in simultaneous communication with lines I5 and 49 so that steam from the latter, which is connected with the supply portion of line 41 in ley-passing relation with fitting 51, may flow through compartment B and line I5 to the interior of barrel II between the adjacent inner ends of the valves I8 and urge said valves apart and to the position shown in Figurefl, so that said valves obstruct and close off inflow of steam through the line 23 to an outflow of water through the line 24 from the housing Ill. The line I4 and branches I3 being in direct communication through compartment C with exhaust line 48, there is no resistance to travel of the valves barrel II.

With the elements of the apparatus positioned as shown in Figure 4 through the agencies and operations hereinabove described, the plate 45 is disposed above the port or ports 29 and feed water from the line 34 may freely flow into and rise within the reservoir of the housing I9, the only possible resistance to such charging of the reservoir being the pressure of steam entrapped therein. T0 obviate any adverse effect of such entrapped steam, a vent passage therefor is provided through the valve element 52, which passage is illustrated as including a central aperture in the baffle 58 between the element bores 55 and 51, and a check valve, such as a ball 15 yeldably spring-urged downwardly into normal closing relation with and against the upper end of said aperture, controlling passage through said aperture in a manner to permit transfer -of fluid under pressure from the bore 51 to the bore 5E, while inhibiting such transfer in the opposite direction. With the arrangement shown, steam from the housing I0 may pass, when the elements of the apparatus are in the position shown in Figure l and after the tube 55 has expanded to position the valve 19 as shown in Figure 6, into the lower portion of the slide chamber 25 through the port or ports 29, thence through the ports 5l to the bore 51 of the element 52, through the aperture of the baffle 58, lifting the valve ball 15, thence through the bore 5'5, ports 55, compartment D, and exhaust passage through the fitting 51 to the line 4S. After the valve unit 44 has been lifted to the position of Figure 4 and incoming water has risen above the port or ports 29, the ports 53 of the valve unit being now in communication with the ports 28 of the slide chamber, a vent passage for the entrapped steam may still be provided through said ports 28 and 53 by upward elongation of the ports 62 of the element 52 as indicated by broken lines in Figure 4, wherebysaid steam may pass from the upper I8 outwardly within the portion of the housing,

steam serves to close valve 43. The steam pressure inthe upper end of 25 lishing the connections manner above set forth,

minne the bere 51 and thenceescape to exhaust along the path above outlined.

ingest With the valve unit44 elevated by pressure of the infiowing feed water, the discharge end of the line 50 is uncovered to permit inflow, of Water through said line to the slide c hamber'25 below said valve unit, thereby enhancing therate at rwhich the housing v l D is Should it be the thei'rnostatic element 3l thatis inoperative, inflow of cooling water through the line 50 has no elfect on the position of the valve unit 44 and element 52, and supply of water to the reservoir of the housing IU continues until the tube 6 5 cools and contracts sufficiently to move the valve 'I0 to its normaloperating position shown in Figure 1 and intoopeningrelation withthe steam line 4 1, whereupon steam is again permitted to flow through the sections of said,

line and into compartment D, thence throughthe open ports 55 and open upper end of lthe valve unit into the line 4I, wher e the pressure of said the valve '36 and open the the valve unit 44 acts to urge said unit downwardly Within the slidechamber and to the position of said unit shown in Figure 1, thus reestaband relationships operable to shift the valves l 8 inwardly of their barrel Il for iniiow of steam to the housing 'I0 through charged with feed watengf the line 23 and outflow of water from said housing and to theboiler throughthe line 24, thus completing the operative cycle o f the apparatus. vShould no correction of the malfunctioning of `the device be immediately forthcoming, the device would continue to supply feed water to the boiler at a somewhat retarded rate, and would repetitiously actuate the warning signal, in the thus safeguarding against dangerously rapid lowering'of the Water level within the boiler.

As is indicated in the drawings, booster devicesof injector t Me, conventionally illustrated at 'l1 and '18, may be operatively associated with the lines 24 and 5 0, respectively, and suitably connected into steam supply circuits through suitable manual controls, not shown, in a common manner to enhance 'and stimulate iioW through said lines, when and as desired.

lSince many changes, variations, and modifications in the specific form, constructon and arrangement of the elements -shown and'described may be had'without departing `from the spirit of my invention, I wish to `be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. A boiler. water feed device comprising, a feed water reservoir disposed for coplanar relation of its minimum contents level with the desired boiler water level, steam and water flow lines communicating between said reservoir and the boiler to be served, means for iniiowing feed water to said reservoir, pressure-actuatable means and controls alternatively positionable to maintain the water-charged reservoir inv pressure-balanced, gravity-flow relation with said boiler and to'recharge said reservoir with feed water, a compound slide valve shiftable to directand regulate 110W of uid under pressure to'said pressureactuatable means, a temperature-responsive element in positioning relation with said slide valve, and means reactive to minimum'reservoir contents level for exposing said element directly to its minimum contents er water level, steam Vsure line serving said Vgravity-flow relation Water reservoir disposed for coplanar relation of its minimumcontentslevel with the desired boiler water level, steam and water flow lines commllnelilg between Saidreservor and the boiler to be served, feed w ater inflowmeans serving said reservoir, kI )ressure-actuatable valves controlling Said .QWelineS and Said ,niow means, pressure lines serving said valves, a compound slide valve shiftable to direct 'and regulate oW through `said pressure lines, and temperature-responsive means reactive to direct contact with the reservoir steam and feed water charges to shift said slide vvalve YVand ,thereby position Said pressure-mumble valves for maintenance of the .watercharged reservoir in pressurefbalanced, gravity-owrelaton with said boilerand toalternatively recharge said reservoir with feed Water as a consequence of minimum contents level therein.V

3. A boiler water feed device comprising, afeed water reservoirdisposed for coplanarrelation of level with the desired boiland water flow lines communicating, respectively, between upper and lower portions of said reservoir and the boiler to gbe served, pressure-actuatable valves controlling iiow through said lines, pressure lines selectively serving said valves for simultaneous positioning thereof in either open `or closed relation With their respective flow lines, feed water iniiow means Vserving said reservoir, a pressure-actuatable valve controlling said inflow means,a preslatter valve, a compound slide Valve shiftable to -pressure-actuatable valves for maintenance of the waterfcharged reservoir in pressure-balanced,

with said boiler and to alternatively recharge said reservoir withfeed water as a consequence of minimum contents level therein. f

4s A boiler waterfeed device comprising, a feed waterreservoir disposed for coplanar relation of its minimum contents level with the desired boiler water level, av steam pressure flow line connecting Abetween the upper vportion of said 'reservoir and the boiler to be served, a water flow lineeonnecting for'gravity flow ofwater between the lower portionof said reservoir and the boiler to be served, pressure-shiftable valves controlling iow through said lines, pressure means common to and serving bothfsaid valves for simultaneous positioning thereof in corresponding open or closed relation `with their respectively associated iiow lines, means including a compound slide'valve actuatable as a consequence of minimum contents level in said reservoirtoadjust said pressure means `'for Asimultaneous ciosingof bothsaid fiow lines, means for the automaticfiniiowof waterto said reservoir while said iiow lines are closed, and'means operable in correlation withsaid water inflow to automatically shift said slide valve and thereby readjustsaid pressure meansjfor interruption of said inflow and to simultaneously open both said flow lines when the said reservoir is water-charged,

5. In a boiler water feed device having a feed water reservoirgdisposedfor coplanar relation of its minimum contents level with the'desired boiler water level and means fn Hm than, c mL--A L direct and regulate flowv vthrough said pressure lines and temperature-reofA said flow said reservoir, means for establishing pressurebalanced, gravity-flow communication vbetween saidV reservoir and the boiler to be servedv and alternatively closing said communication during iniiw'of water to the reservoir, said means 'com- Y closed barrel vertiat the outer limit of their range of travel, pressure means selectively operable to simultaneously positionl said valve members'at one or the other of their limits of travel, a pressure-actuatable between'the lower| and the boiler, ports intersect" opposite portions of said barrel to open l ,20, their adjacent ports'when said valve members are barrel between eachL valve controlling said water inflow means and' temperature-responsive means and associated controls automatically operable as a consequence of minimum contents level in said reservoir to position and hold said valve members at the outer limit of their range of travel and to simultaneously'op'en'a path for water inflow through said pressure-actuatable valve and tosubsequent- 1y close said water'inflow path and simultaneously shift said valve members to the inner limit of their range of travel when said reservoir is water-charged;

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said valve members are of double-spool type and each includes annular end heads and an intermediate'annular rib adapted to slidably coact with the barrel walls, and cylindrical sections o reduced' diameter connecting'between said rib and heads, Ywhereof the section` disposed outwardly vof the' barrel has a lengthadequate' to bridge over the space between its associatedA flow line and adjacent barrel port.

'7. Apparatus a's set forth in claim 5, wherein said pressure'means includes a branched pressure line opening through and simultaneously serving oppositel ends of the barrel and alternatively connectible with a pressure supply line or'an 'exhaust to atmosphere, and a separate pressure line serving the midportion of the barrel between the valve members and alternatively e connectible in flow relation opposite to that of said i branched line with a pressure exhaust to atmosphere.

8. Apparatus as set -orth in claim 5 wherein said pressure-actuatable valve includes a pressure chamber, a pressure-reactive element in said chamber, a plunger connected to said pressurereactive element and reciprocable therewith into and out of closing relation with a water flow line, resiliently-yieldable means normally' holding said pressure-reactive element and associated plunger in open relation of' the latter with the water flow line, and a pressure flow line alternatively connectible with a pressure supply line or an exsupply line or an haust toatmosphere serving said pressure cham- Iber.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said temperature-responsive means vand associated controls' are housed'in a slide chamber altitudinally Vtraversing and projecting upwardly be- `a consequence of minimum yond the reservoir and include an heat-extensible element 'arranged forl reaction to the steam in said reservoir'wh'en the water/level therein lsubsides to a predetermined minimum, a compound valve assembly shiftably associated with said element, and exhaust, pressure flow, and pressure supply lines opening into said slide chamber for automatically variable operative interconnection through the agency of said valve assembly.

10. In a boiler water feed device having a feed water reservoir disposed for coplanar relation of its minimum' contents levelwith the desired boiler water level, steama'nd water flow lines between said reservoir and the boiler toy be served, simultaneously-actuatable',"pressure-responsive valves correspondingly controlling flow' through said lines, means for the' inflow of feed water to said reservoir, a pressure-responsive valve controlling said inflow meansandpressure flow lines serving said valves, means automatically operable as water level vin said lreservoirto close sai'dreservoirsteam and water now lines and open` said inflow'means and to subsequently open said'reservoir steam and water flow lines and close said inflow means when the reservoir is water-rhargedfsaid means comprising a slide chamberaltitudinally traversing and projecting upwardly beyondsaid reservoir, an heat-extensible element in"the` lower portion of said chamber, ports inthe lowerslide chamber wall eiposible at minimum reservoir water level to permitpassage'of steamfrom said reservoir to the slide chamber portion housing said element, a compound valve assemblyslidably cooperating with the upperslide chamber portion and shiftably associated with said element, connections between said pressure'ow lines` andthe upper slide chaniber` portion, Aa pressurefsupply line, an eX- haust line, and aV cold water supply line serving saidfslide chamber, and means inherent in the valve assembly' construction Hpolsitionable as a consequence of element extension'to interconneetl said` pressure flow, pressure supply, and eX- haust'lines for 'closing of said` reservoir steam and water flow lines, opening of said water iniiow means, and toestablish inflow through said cold water supply vlinepand alternatively positionable as a consequenceof element contraction to reverse the flowrelations previously established.

1,1. Apparatusas fsetforth'in'A claim 1 0, wherein the pressure flow, pressure supply, exhaust, and 'cold water` supplylinesopen through the slide ablywithinsaid bore for limited-reciprocation relative to" said` unit; a head 'on'the lesser' end lof said element engageable'atk times withthe adjacent end of:said'unit'to.limitxtravel Vof saidelement relative to said unitun' on'e' direction, alternatively registrable openings through the walls of "said unitI` and element; andi'me'ans" securing said head'to' theupper end ofLthe heat-extensible element." i f H 13. Apparatus as set Iforth in claim 1 0, wherein 'the valve assembly the vfeed water inilow means delivers through the lower end of the slide chamber and the compound valve assembly carries in xed association a plate reciprocable altitudinally of the slide chamber lower portion disposed to close over and obstruct the delivery end of the Water inflow means when said valve assembly is at the lower limit of its range of actuation within the slide chamber.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the feed water inflow means includes a return water flow line connected with the inflow line in by-passing relation with the pressure-responsive inow control Valve, a pressure-responsive valve controlling communication between said return and inow lines adjacent the delivery end of the latter, and pressure means simultaneously serving both of saids valve for selective actuation thereof in maintained opposite How-controlling relation with their respective lines.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cold water supply line opens for discharge throughthe slide chamber wall above the heatextensible element and in flow-obstructing relation against a lower portion of the slidable compound valve assembly when said element is contracted, and is thus positioned and arranged for automatic delivery of cold water against and about said element as a consequence of element extension and resulting upward shifting of the valve assembly.

16. In a boiler water feed device having a feed Water reservoir disposed for coplanar relation of its operative .predetermined minimum water level with the desired boiler water level, steam and water now connections between said reservoir and the boiler to be served, and means for inflowing water to said reservoir, pressure-actuatable, tem perature-responsive means and controls automatically cooperable to maintain the watercharged reservoir in pressure-balanced, gravityflow relation with said boiler and to recharge said reservoir with :feed water `when the water level therein reaches its predetermined operative minimum, and supplementary temperature-responsive means operable to correspondingly control said pressure-actuatable means in response to a lowering of the reservoir water level beyond the predetermined operative minimum as a consequence of failure or malfunctioning of said rst-named temperature-responsive means and controls.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the pressure-actuatable, temperature-responsive means and controls are served by a pressure ow line alternatively connecti-ble with a pressure supply line and an exhaust to atmosphere, and said supplementary temperature-responsive means comprises a valve shiftable to selectively connect said flow line with said supply line or exhaust, an heat-extensi-ble element fixed at one end and connected at its movable end with said valve to close said exhaust and open communication between said flow line and supply line when said element is contracted and to close said supply line and open communication between said ow line and exhaust when said element is heat-extended, and means exposable through lowering of water level in the reservoir below a predetermined operative minimum to conduct steam from said reservoir to and for heating elect on said element.

THOMAS N. PINION. 

